Apparatus and method for muscular stimulation

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for muscular stimulation of a user comprises a pressure sensor ( 2, 4 ), a control unit ( 6 ) to which pressure values sensed by the pressure sensor are fed, and a vibrational stimulator ( 8, 10 ) for applying vibrational stimulation. The vibrational stimulator is activated by the control unit in response to the pressure sensor sensing an applied pressure which exceeds a threshold-pressure value.

The present invention relates to apparatus and a method for muscularstimulation, in particular apparatus and a method for muscularstimulation by applying vibrational stimulation.

A muscle will undergo reflex contractions when stimulated by theapplication of mechanical vibrations, in a similar way to voluntarymuscle contractions due to physical exertion. Accordingly, devices areknown for muscular stimulation by the application of mechanicalvibrations. Such devices can be useful for athletic training, sinceimproved muscle tone of a user can be achieved without physicalexercise, for example in the home, and in a shorter period of time thancould be achieved by physical exercise. Such devices can also be oftherapeutic use during recovery of a user from, for example, an accidentor surgery, and have been shown to be effective in increasing bonedensity. However, such devices suffer from the drawback that theyrequire no physical exertion by the user, and hence contribute little tothe fitness of the user, and provide a stimulus which is not determinedby the physical exertion of the user.

The present invention seeks to provide apparatus and a method forovercoming the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus formuscular stimulation of a user, which apparatus comprises a pressuresensor, a control unit to which pressure values sensed by the pressuresensor are fed, and a vibrational stimulator for applying vibrationalstimulation, wherein the vibrational stimulator is activated by thecontrol unit in response to the pressure sensor sensing an appliedpressure which exceeds a threshold pressure value, and wherein thevibrational stimulator can apply vibrational stimulation to a user via aunit which can reciprocally move relative to a user in response to thepressure sensor sensing an applied pressure which exceeds the thresholdpressure.

The apparatus according to the present invention thus providesvibrational stimulation to a user in response to the pressure sensorsensing an applied pressure by the user above a threshold value. Thus,the user must expend a certain amount of physical effort in order toactivate the vibrational stimulator, the amount of physical effortrequired being determined by the level at which the threshold pressurevalue is set.

Preferably, the vibrational stimulator is deactivated when the pressuresensor ceases to sense an applied pressure which exceeds the thresholdpressure value. In this way, the user must continue to apply a pressureabove the threshold value in order for the vibrational stimulator toremain activated, and thereby provide vibrational stimulation to themuscles of the user.

The apparatus according to the present invention may conveniently takethe form of exercise apparatus, for example of the type found in a gym.

The apparatus may comprise one or more pressure sensors, and preferablycomprises a first set of pressure sensors for detecting pressure appliedthrough the hands of a user, and/or a second set of pressure sensors fordetecting pressure applied through the feet of a user. The first andsecond sets of pressure sensors may each respectively comprise one ormore individual pressure sensors. More preferably, the apparatuscomprises both said first and second sets of pressure sensors.

For example, the first set of pressure sensors may detect pressureapplied to a bar against which a user can push or pull with their hands.The second set of pressure sensors may detect pressure applied to aplate against which a user can push with their feet.

The pressure sensor may suitably comprise, for example, a strain gauge.

The apparatus according to the present invention may be designed for useby a user supine, or in a sitting or standing position.

The pressure sensor senses the applied pressure, which pressure value isfed to the control unit. The control unit, controls the operation of theapparatus and may be a central processing unit, or other suitablecomputer hardware. Thus, the control unit receives pressure valuessensed by the pressure sensor, preferably stores the threshold pressurevalue, and activates, and preferably deactivates, the vibrationalstimulator by comparing the pressure values received from the pressuresensor with the stored threshold pressure value. The control unit mayperform other functions, for example it may run software which allows auser to tailor the apparatus to individual requirements, such asfrequency, amplitude, direction and other characteristics of vibrationsgenerated by the vibrational stimulator. The control unit may also storeinformation concerning use of the apparatus by a user in a particularsession, for example for later reading by a user to compare performancedata from one session using the apparatus with another, or for providingreal time data on display means for viewing during use of the apparatusby a user.

The apparatus according to the present invention also comprises avibration stimulator fox applying vibrational stimulation. The apparatuspreferably comprises a corresponding number of vibration stimulators andpressure sensors, i.e. in the preferred embodiments referred to abovehaving first and second sets of pressure sensors, the apparatus willcomprise; corresponding first and second vibration sensors. In this way,the pressure sensor(s) and vibrational stimulator(s) may be located inthe same unit(s), i.e. the unit(s) to which a user applies pressureduring use of the apparatus. Thus, in the preferred embodiments referredto above, a first vibrational stimulator may be associated with thefirst set of pressure sensors for detecting pressure applied through thehands of a user, and/or a second vibrational stimulator may beassociated with the second set of pressure sensors for detectingpressure applied through the feet of a user.

In the particularly preferred embodiment referred to above, the firstset of pressure sensors and first vibrational stimulator for applicationof pressure through the hands of a user may conveniently be associatedwith a bar against which a user can push with their hands. The secondset of pressure sensors and second vibrational stimulator forapplication of pressure through the feet of a user may, for example,conveniently be associated with a plate against which a user can pushwith their feet. Thus, when the user applies a pressure to the first andsecond pressure sensors which exceeds the threshold pressure stored bythe control unit, by applying pressure to the first set of pressuresensors through their arms, and to the second set of pressure sensorsthrough their legs, their arms and legs will receive vibrationalstimulation from the first and second vibrational stimulatorsrespectively.

The vibrational stimulator(s) can preferably deliver vibrationalstimulation Lo a user in a plurality of amplitudes, frequencies anddirections. More preferably, the amplitude, frequency and direction ofvibration may be tailored by a user via the control unit. Eachvibrational stimulator may comprise one or more individual vibrationengines, which may be controlled electronically according to parametersstored by the control unit. The vibrational parameters may be manuallyset by a user prior to use of the apparatus.

The vibrational stimulator(s) can provide vibrational stimulation to auser via a unit which can either reciprocally move relative to a user inresponse to the pressure sensor sensing an applied pressure whichexceeds the threshold pressure or which can remain substantiallystationary relative to a user. For example, in the preferred embodimentreferred to above, the bar to which a user can apply pressure throughtheir hands can be reciprocally moveable relative to the user,reciprocal movement of the bar being activated in response to thepressure sensor sensing an applied pressure which exceeds the thresholdpressure, as for activation of the vibrational stimulator.Alternatively, the bar can remain substantially stationary relative to auser. Similarly, in the aforementioned preferred embodiment, the plateto which a user can apply pressure through their feet can bereciprocally moveable, activated in the same way as the bar.Alternatively, the plate can remain substantially stationary relative toa user.

The reciprocal movement may be, for example, substantially towards andaway from the user in the plane of symmetry of the user, laterally in aplane substantially orthogonal to the plane of symmetry of the user, acombination of movements in both of said planes, circular movement inone or both of said planes, or a combination of any of such movements.Preferably, the direction(8) of the movement may be predetermined by theuser, for example by pre-programming the control unit (e.g. via a touchscreen display), as preferably may also the speed and magnitude of thereciprocal movement.

Thus, in use, a user of the apparatus according to the present inventionapplies an initial pressure to be sensed by the pressure sensor. Theinitial pressure is preferably the maximum pressure which the user canapply at that instant. The pressure sensor senses the initial pressurevalue, which is stored by the control unit. A threshold pressure valueis then determined based upon the initial pressure value. The thresholdpressure value may be any value from 0% (i.e. no pressure is required bya user to activate vibrational stimulation) to 100% (i.e. vibrationalstimulation is only activated when a pressure equal to or exceeding theinitial pressure value is sensed) of the initial pressure value, forexample from 50 to 90% of the initial pressure value, or a narrowerrange of for example 70 to 80%. The threshold pressure value may beautomatically set by the control unit, or may be manually set by theuser.

Subsequently, each time the pressure sensor senses a pressure applied bythe user which exceeds the threshold pressure value, the control unitactivates the vibrational stimulator. Preferably, as referred to above,when the pressure sensor senses that the pressure applied by the userhas dropped below the threshold value, the control unit deactivates thevibrational stimulator. Thus, the user will only receive vibrationalstimulation when sufficient pressure is applied to activate thevibrational stimulator, according to the threshold pressure value storedby the control unit, for example as previously manually set by the user.

According to the present invention there is thus also provided a methodfor operating the above-described apparatus, which method comprises theuser applying an initial pressure which is sensed by a pressure sensor,recording the initial pressure value sensed by the pressure sensor, andapplying vibrational stimulation to the user by a vibrational stimulatorin response to the user applying pressure to the pressure sensor whichexceeds a threshold pressure value determined by the initial pressurevalue.

The apparatus and method according to the present invention thus haveutility for exercising muscles, either as part of a fitness regime, or arecovery program of a user from surgery or illness. The apparatus andmethod according to the present invention have the particular advantageover prior apparatus and methods in that they may be specificallytailored by the user to individual requirements. The apparatus andmethod according to the present invention may be used as an evaluationtool for neuromuscular performance, to stimulate different muscles andjoints in a user, and allows exercise or treatment at different levelsof force applied by a user. However, the apparatus and method accordingto the present invention is also suited for use in microgravityenvironments, for example beyond the earth's atmosphere, whereexercising with weights, for example barbells, is ineffective.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detailby way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention comprises first and second pressure sensors 2 and4 respectively, in the form of first and second strain gauges, a controlunit 6 to which pressure values sensed by the pressure sensors 2 and 4are fed, and first and second vibrational stimulators 8 and 10respectively for applying vibrational stimulation to the user. Thepressure values detected by the; first and second pressure sensors 2 and4 are fed to the control unit 6 via connections 12. The apparatusfurther comprises a touch screen display 14 by which the user may viewin real time their performance on the apparatus, and may input or changeapparatus parameters, for example the threshold pressure value, orparameters of the vibrational stimulators 8 and 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the present invention is designed for use by a supine user.The first pressure sensor 2 and first vibrational stimulator 8 form partof a unit which comprises a bar 16 against which the user pushes throughtheir hands to apply pressure thereto. The second pressure sensor 4 andsecond vibrational stimulator 10 form part of a unit which comprises aplate 18 against which the user pushes through their feet to applypressure thereto.

The bar 16 and/or plate 18 are reciprocally moveable relative to a userin response to the first and/or second pressure sensors 2 and/or 4respectively sensing an applied pressure which exceeds the thresholdpressure. Thus, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bar 16 isreciprocally moveable towards and away from the direction of appliedpressure through the arms of the user (i.e. upwards and downwards in theview shown in FIG. 1) and/or the plate 18 is reciprocally moveabletowards and away from the direction of applied pressure through the feetof the user (i.e. left and right in the view shown in FIG. 1). Thedirection, speed and magnitude of reciprocal movement of the bar 16 andplate 18 may be pre-determined by the user via the touch screen display14. Thus, the user can choose to have the bar and/or plate remainsubstantially stationary relative to the user.

Thus, in use, in the supine position the user initially applies pressureto the bar 16 and plate 18 to their maximum ability. These initialpressure values are sensed by the first and second pressure sensors 2and 4, and are stored in the control unit 6. The user then sets thethreshold pressure value, for example 70% of the initial pressure value,using the touchscreen 14. The user then applies pressure to the bar 16and plate 18, and whenever the first and second pressure sensors 2 and 4sense pressure values greater than the threshold value, the control unit6 activates the first and second vibrational stimulators 8 and 10, tothereby stimulate the arm and leg muscles respectively of the user. Whenthe pressure value sensed by the first and/or second pressure sensors 2and 4 drops below the threshold pressure value, then the control unit 6deactivates the first and/or second vibrational stimulators 8 and 10accordingly. As referred to hereinabove, the bar 16 and/or plate 18 arereciprocally moveable relative to the user in response to the firstand/or second pressure sensors 2 and/or 4 respectively sensing anapplied pressure which exceeds the threshold pressure.

It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated describes theinvention in one form only for the purposes of illustration. Inpractice, the invention may be applied to many different configurations,the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in theart to implement.

1-26. (canceled)
 27. An apparatus for muscular stimulation of a user,which apparatus comprises a pressure sensor, a control unit to whichpressure values sensed by the pressure sensor are fed, and a vibrationalstimulator for applying vibrational stimulation to a user, wherein thevibrational stimulator is activated by the control unit in response tothe pressure sensor sensing an applied pressure which exceeds athreshold pressure value and wherein the vibrational stimulator canapply vibrational stimulation to a user via a unit which canreciprocally move relative to a user in response to the pressure sensorsensing an applied pressure which exceeds the threshold pressure. 28.The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the vibrational stimulatoris deactivated when the pressure sensor ceases to sense an appliedpressure which exceeds the threshold pressure value.
 29. The apparatusaccording to claim 27, which comprises a first set of pressure sensorsfor detecting pressure applied through the hands of a user.
 30. Theapparatus according to claim 29, wherein the first set of pressuresensors detects pressure applied to a bar against which a user can pushor pull with their hands.
 31. The apparatus according to claim 27, whichcomprises a second set of pressure sensors for detection of pressureapplied through the feet of a user.
 32. The apparatus according to claim31, wherein the second set of pressure sensors detects pressure appliedto a plate against which a user can push with their feet.
 33. Theapparatus according to claim 27, which comprises a first set of pressuresensors for detecting pressure applied through the hands of a user and asecond set of pressure sensors for detection of pressure applied throughthe feet of a user.
 34. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein thepressure sensor comprises a strain gauge.
 35. The apparatus according toclaim 27 for use by a supine user.
 36. The apparatus according to claim27, wherein the control unit comprises a central processing unit. 37.The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the control unit allows auser to set at least one of the frequency, amplitude and direction ofvibrations generated by the vibrational stimulator.
 38. The apparatusaccording to claim 27, wherein the control unit stores informationconcerning use of the apparatus by a user.
 39. The apparatus accordingto claim 27 further comprising display means for viewing during use ofthe apparatus by a user.
 40. The apparatus according to claim 27, whichcomprises a corresponding number of vibration stimulators and pressuresensors.
 41. The apparatus according to claim 40, which comprises afirst vibrational stimulator associated with a first set of pressuresensors for detecting pressure applied through the hands of a user. 42.The apparatus according to claim 41, wherein the first set of pressuresensors and first vibrational stimulator are associated with a baragainst which a user can push or pull with their hands.
 43. Theapparatus according to claim 40, which comprises a second vibrationalstimulator associated with a second set of pressure sensors fordetecting pressure applied through the feet of a user.
 44. The apparatusaccording to claim 43, wherein the second set of pressure sensors andsecond vibrational stimulator are associated with a plate against whicha user can push with their feet.
 45. The apparatus according to claim27, wherein the vibrational stimulator can deliver vibrationalstimulation to a user in at least one of a plurality of amplitudes,frequencies and directions.
 46. The apparatus according to claim 45,wherein the vibrational stimulator comprises at least one individualvibration engine, which is controlled electronically according toparameters stored by the control unit.
 47. The apparatus according toclaim 46, wherein the parameters are manually set by a user prior to useof the apparatus.
 48. The apparatus according to claim 27, whichcomprises a bar to which a user can apply pressure through their hands,which bar is reciprocally moveable relative to the user.
 49. Theapparatus according to claim 27, which comprises a plate to which a usercan apply pressure through their feet, which plate is reciprocallymoveable.
 50. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein thereciprocal movement is at least one movement selected from the groupconsisting of a movement substantially towards and away from a user inthe plane of symmetry of the user, a movement laterally in a planesubstantially orthogonal to the plane of symmetry of a user, acombination of movements in both of said planes, a circular movement inone or both of said planes, and a combination of any of such movements.51. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein one of thedirection(s), speed and magnitude of the reciprocal movement may bepredetermined by the user via the control unit.
 52. The apparatusaccording to claim 27, wherein the unit can remain substantiallystationary relative to a user.
 53. A method for operating apparatus asdefined in claim 27, which method comprises the user applying an initialpressure which is sensed by a pressure sensor, recording the initialpressure value sensed by the pressure sensor, and applying vibrationalstimulation to the user by a vibrational stimulator in response to theuser applying pressure to the pressure sensor which exceeds a thresholdpressure value determined by the initial pressure value.